uSwitch enters the Irish market to help consumers cut their bills

•UK consumer champion uSwitch is launching in Ireland to help consumers cut the cost of their household bills

•The company will be bringing over 12 years’ experience of campaigning to get consumers a better and fairer deal

•Irish consumers face a tough year – two thirds (68%) expect their income to drop in 2013 while eight in ten (82%) are worried about the cost of their energy bills.

Leading UK price comparison and switching service, uSwitch, is launching in Ireland. The move comes as Irish consumers face yet another year of uncertainty with increased bills and falling incomes. The announcement should come as a welcome boost to many households, with as many as 82% actively trying to reduce their household spending this year.

uSwitch.ie, based in Dublin, will offer consumers free, independent and impartial price comparison and switching services. It will help make it easier for Irish households to compare prices, save money on their regular bills, get the best deals on offer and make their hard-earned money go that bit further. It estimates that Irish consumers could save as much as €254 a year just by switching energy providers alone.

uSwitch has been successfully operating in the UK for the past 12 years, campaigning on behalf of consumers to get them a fairer deal and better service. It is now set to bring its years of expertise to help Irish consumers. The service will initially focus on energy, home broadband and digital television suppliers.

According to an independent nationwide survey conducted on behalf of uSwitch, over two thirds of consumers (68%) expect their income to significantly decrease in 2013. On top of this, over eight in ten (82%) are worried about the cost of their energy bills. The findings highlight the need for consumers to offset the decline of their spending power by cutting the cost of their essential household bills, shopping around and switching to save some cash.

Eoin Clarke, Head of uSwitch.ie, says: “These are tough times and Irish consumers need a champion to help them fight their corner and get a better deal. Household finances are stretched to breaking, which is why it is so important for consumers to make their hard-earned money go further.

“The great thing is that we are able to draw upon over twelve years’ experience of saving consumers money in the UK and we will now be able to use this expertise to help Irish households too. Our service is free, independent and impartial which means that consumers can rely on us to give them honest, truthful advice about the best deals and services for their needs.

“We are very confident that we will save consumers time and money and help them to find best value deals that may not otherwise be so easily secured. We very much look forward to championing the consumer cause in the fight to get the best deal when it comes to paying household bills.”

The uSwitch.ie website offers a selection of simple tools and calculators to help people to find the best deal to suit their needs, when it comes to energy, home broadband and digital television suppliers. Consumers will also find savings tips and helpful advice when it comes to dealing with suppliers.